Malala Yousafzay and Kailash Satyarthi Win Nobel Peace Prize

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This year's Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to two children's
rights activists, Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzay, "for
their struggle against the suppression of children and young
people and for the right of all children to education," the
Norwegian Nobel Committee announced today (Oct. 11).

Seventeen-year-old Yousafzay is now the youngest ever
recipient of the prestigious prize, according to committee
officials. Almost exactly two years ago, on Oct. 9, 2012,
Yousafzay — then 15 years old — was shot in the head by a Taliban
gunman for campaigning for the rights of girls to go to school in
her home country of Pakistan. The teenager was critically
injured, but survived the assassination attempt.

"Despite her youth, Malala Yousafzay has already fought for
several years for the rights of girls to education, and has shown
by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to
improving their own situations," the Norwegian Nobel Committee
said in a statement. "Through her heroic struggle she has
become a leading spokesperson for girls' rights to education."

Satyarthi, 60, is an Indian children's rights activist who has
fought against child labor and other forms of abuse and
exploitation.

"Showing great personal courage, Kailash Satyarthi, maintaining
Gandhi's tradition, has headed various forms of protest and
demonstrations, focusing on the grave exploitation of children
for financial gain," according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
"He has also contributed to the development of important
international conventions on children's rights.

In their work, the two activists have highlighted the need to
educate and empower the youngest members of society.

"It is a prerequisite for peaceful
global development that the rights of children and young
people be respected," according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
"In conflict-ridden areas in particular, the violation of
children leads to the continuation of violence from generation to
generation."

The award itself also delivers an important global message.

"The Nobel Committee regards it as an important point for a Hindu
and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common
struggle for education and against extremism," Thorbjorn Jagland,
chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said in his
announcement of the prize's recipients.

Satyarthi and Yousafzay will share the Nobel Peace Prize award of
$1.25 million (8 million Swedish krona).